Newburgh Dam
Newburgh Dam is a gravity dam located in Wayne County, Michigan, built in 1933. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Newburgh Dam
The primary purpose of Newburgh Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Wayne County Dpt Of Public Services (local government). It impounds the M Br River Rouge near Livonia.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 114 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,250 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 60 square miles. Completed in 1933, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/28/2018. That was 8 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Michigan dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Wayne |
| Nearest City | Livonia |
| River/Stream | M Br River Rouge |
| Coordinates | 42.36670, -83.41130 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1933 (93 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 820 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 114 acres |
| Drainage Area | 60 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,586 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Wayne County Dpt of Public Services |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/28/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00396 |
| Federal ID | MI00396 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |